''Flute'' instability in tandem mirrors

Journal Article · Sun May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1983 · Sov. J. Plasma Phys. (Engl. Transl.); (United States)

OSTI ID:5373289

Timofeev, A V

This analysis is based on the circumstance that flute-like waves in the end mirror systems of a tandem mirror convert into Alfven waves in the central solenoid. The effect of the end regions on the Alfven waves can be taken into account through boundary conditions at the ends of the central mirror system. A two-dimensional differential wave equation describing the plasma oscillations in a tandem mirror is reduced to a one-dimensional integral equation which determines the radial structure of the flutes in the end regions. If the growth rate is sufficiently high, this integral equation transforms into a differential equation. If the flute waves are stabilized by finite-Larmor-radius effects, the energy transfer into the central mirror system through the excitation of Alfven waves drives an instability of negative-energy waves.

• Research Organization: I. V. Kurchatov Institute of Atomic Energy, Moscow
• OSTI ID: 5373289
• Journal Information: Sov. J. Plasma Phys. (Engl. Transl.); (United States), Vol. 9:3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
TMX DEVICES
ALFVEN WAVES
FLUTE INSTABILITY
EXPLOSIVE INSTABILITY
INSTABILITY GROWTH RATES
LARMOR RADIUS
MAGNETIC MIRROR CONFIGURATIONS
HYDROMAGNETIC WAVES
INSTABILITY
MAGNETIC FIELD CONFIGURATIONS
MAGNETIC MIRRORS
OPEN CONFIGURATIONS
OPEN PLASMA DEVICES
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA MACROINSTABILITIES
TANDEM MIRRORS
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES
700107* - Fusion Energy- Plasma Research- Instabilities
700108 - Fusion Energy- Plasma Research- Wave Phenomena